Southern Illinois Salukis

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Agnew (5'10/202) spent his final two college seasons at SIU-Carbondale after transferring from Oregon State, rushing for 1,708 yards and 16 TDs on 316 carries (5.41 YPC), adding 29 receptions. He is the son of ex-Patriots and Rams NT Ray Agnew. Malcolm ran 4.57/4.60 at the Salukis' Pro Day, but turned heads with a 3.90 short shuttle and 6.75 three-cone drill, displaying absurd short-area quickness and change of direction. Agnew profiles as a special teams player and potential passing-down back.

Pruitt (6'2/251) established Missouri Valley Conference all-time records in receptions (211), receiving yards (2,601), and TDs (25) by a tight end, twice earning first-team All-American accolades in the FCS. Highly athletic, Pruitt blew up the Combine with a 4.58 forty, 38-inch vertical, and standout agility scores. A more athletic version of Charles Clay, Pruitt is built to be a playmaking H-back and showed competitiveness as a college blocker. In Minnesota, Pruitt will open his career behind Kyle Rudolph, Rhett Ellison, and Chase Ford.

"Tape time: MyCole Pruitt, TE, S Illinois is legit. Catches in traffic, can break tackles, strong hands, uses body well to uncover. Impressed," Davis tweeted. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Pruitt may get knocked for his production against small-school level of competition, but he was highly productive for the Salukis and even caught 10 passes for 136 yards against the Purdue Boliermakers in 2014. On the year, Pruit hauled in 81 receptions for 861 yards and 13 touchdowns, while being featured as a H-back and tight end for Southern Illinois.

The Texans put Southern Illinois RB Malcolm Agnew through a private workout following his pro day.

Agnew transferred to SIU from Oregon State two years ago, and led the school in rushing in 2014 despite missing time due to an ankle injury. He is the son of former defensive tackle Ray Agnew and his brother plays fullback in the league.

Southern Illinois TE MyCole Pruitt "won't be considered a plus athlete for the position by NFL standards, so he must crank up the motor and keep it running -- especially when asked to block since that might be his way onto a team," postulated NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pounder grades as Zierlein's No. 10 tight end in the class. The analyst loves Pruitt's production -- he caught 81 passes for 861 yards and 13 touchdowns last season -- "but the tape shows an alarming inconsistency of effort and competitive fire." Zierlein also pointed out that Pruitt plays with limited bend, conforming to TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline recent report that the prospect showed tightness in his hips at a recent workout. "Doesn't show consistent competitive toughness as a goal-line blocker and gears down in his routes if he doesn't anticipate getting the ball," Zierlein wrote.

Per TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline, Southern Illinois TE MyCole Pruitt displayed a weakness at his pro day that doesn't portend well in his transition to the NFL.

"Pruitt, who turned in an outstanding combine workout, caught the ball today and did reasonably well," Pauline wrote. "I'm told while his pass-catching skills stood out, he shows a bit of tightness in his hips; not a good sign for a smaller player at his position." The 6-foot-2, 250-pounder has long arms (33 1/2) and big hands (10 1/4). Pruitt caught 81 passes for 861 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.

Southern Illinois TE MyCole Pruitt "was able to take advantage of the down [TE] group" at the combine, wrote ESPN's Todd McShay.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pounder has long arms (33 1/2) and big hands (10 1/4). "[Pruitt] really stood out during the testing drills," McShay wrote. "His 4.58 40 and 38-inch vertical led the group, and he posted the fourth-best broad jump at 9-10. We have yet to do a full evaluation on Pruitt, but he certainly helped gain some attention Friday by putting up the best numbers among tight ends." McShay will see a nice pair of mitts on tape. Pruitt caught 81 passes for 861 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pounder also had the best vertical jump at 38 inches, and came in fourth with a 118-inch broad jump. Clearly a stud athlete, Pruitt also has sticky mitts. "Hands are a plus," reads his NFL.com scouting report, which compares him to Daniel Fells. "Hands-catcher who adjusts to the ball. Catches while covered and secures in traffic. Plays with above-average football intelligence." Pruitt, who caught 81 passes for 861 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, could move up boards quickly amidst a poor tight end draft class.

"An Oregon State transfer, Agnew is a quick-footed runner with decisive burst to get north-south in a hurry, adding value as a pass-catcher," Brugler wrote. "He averaged 6.0 yards per carry as a senior with 10 rushing touchdowns." Agnew, one of the most talented RBs in the FCS, is the son of Ray Agnew, a longtime NFL defensive lineman.

"A hybrid tight end prospect, Pruitt looks more like a bulky wideout with his thick frame and foot quickness. He needs to refine his route-running and play more controlled, but has starter potential down the road with some seasoning," Brugler wrote. The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder caught 81 passes for 861 yards and 13 touchdowns. With the tight end draft class on the weak side, Pruitt could make a splash in April.

Pruitt is a longtime favorite of Dane Brugler, a friend of the site. Pruitt has already passed his 2013 totals in terms of production, catching 71 passes for 790 yards and 12 touchdowns. The tight end class is looking fairly weak, so Pruitt could make a splash.

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler believes Southern Illinois senior TE MyCole Pruitt and senior RB Malcolm Agnew could become the first pair of Salukis selected in the same draft since 1972.

Both starred in Saturday's loss to Purdue. "Working out of the slot and inline, Pruitt had a game-best 10 catches for 136 yards, displaying quickness off the line of scrimmage with flexibility and gliding speed to catch the ball in stride and motor down the field," Brugler wrote. "He leaves you wanting more at times with some laziness in his routes and as a blocker, but Pruitt has smooth footwork to fool defensive backs with large, soft mitts to look the ball in and secure grabs. Agnew, an Oregon State transfer, averaged only 2.8 yards against the Boilermakers' defense, but he didn't receive much help from his offensive line. He is quick-footed with easy lateral moves and decisive action, attacking the line of scrimmage and wasting little time getting north-south. Agnew is also a reliable receiver out of the backfield, finishing second on the team Saturday with five catches for 36 yards. Both prospects are draftable talents."

Southern Illinois senior TE MyCole Pruitt "was stamped as a late round pick by scouts entering the season and proved his worth against Purdue," wrote TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline

Pruit had a huge game in Saturday's loss (SIU's only contest against an FBS team in 2014), hauling in 10 catches for 136 yards. He has collected between 43 and 48 receptions for 562 to 601 yards in each of the past three years, and already has 26 catches in four games this year. "Though short (under 6-feet/2-inches) he’s a sure handed tight end with enough speed to split the seam," Pauline wrote. "He’ll be a solid last day pick for a team needing a move tight end or H-back."

Against a Big 10 opponent, this was a crucial game for Pruitt's NFL evaluation. Pruitt, one of the country's best small-school prospects, aced the test, burning Boilermaker defenders over and over again. The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder projects as a "hybrid pass-catcher who can line up in the backfield, inline and out wide," CBS Sports' Dane Brugler wrote last month.